A teacher at Alliance Girls High School accused of sexually abusing students over a span of two decades has been placed on 30-day compulsory leave by Kenya’s teachers' employer, pending a full investigation.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) made the announcement on Tuesday, 25 July, following public outrage and a damning exposé aired by investigative outlet Africa Uncensored. The documentary, titled The Teacher and the System, detailed troubling accounts of abuse, allegedly committed by the teacher while using his role as a Christian Union patron to groom and exploit vulnerable girls.
“This is to allow investigations to proceed without interference,” TSC’s acting CEO, Evaleen Mitei, said in a statement. The teacher will continue to receive full pay and allowances during the leave. TSC added that it would inform him of the outcome once investigations are complete.
Demands for Accountability
The move comes after rising calls for justice from former students, women’s rights groups, and senior government officials.
On 10 July, dozens of alumni gathered outside Alliance Girls for a peaceful protest, demanding immediate action from the TSC. Clad in white shirts, they carried placards that read, “Protect the Girls, Not the Predators.”
“We wrote to the TSC but got no response,” one protester told reporters. “We won’t stop until action is taken.”
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok later joined the chorus for accountability. Speaking during an unrelated event in Nandi County, Bitok confirmed that law enforcement had been engaged.
“That teacher is going to be punished,” Bitok said. “We’ve spoken to the TSC and other agencies to ensure he is arrested.”
Legal Implications Loom
Should the allegations hold up, the consequences could be severe. Nairobi-based lawyer Danstan Omari told local media that the teacher may face multiple charges under Kenya’s Sexual Offences Act.
“These include defilement under Section 8, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years,” Omari explained. “There could also be charges under Section 6 and Section 11, which deal with indecent acts. Sentences range from five years to life imprisonment depending on the severity.”
Omari noted that the teacher could also be struck off the teaching register, permanently ending his career.
A School Under Scrutiny
Alliance Girls High School, one of Kenya’s most prestigious institutions, said it is cooperating fully with the authorities. “The safety and well-being of learners is our top priority,” school officials stated.
But critics say the school's leadership failed to act for years. The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) has called for disciplinary and legal action against any member of staff found to have protected or ignored the misconduct.
“This is not just about one individual,” FIDA Chairperson Christine Kungu said in a strongly worded statement. “We need systemic change. Schools must have clear and enforced procedures for reporting sexual abuse.”
She urged the Ministry of Education to issue nationwide guidelines to help schools respond more effectively to cases of gender-based violence.
What Next?
While the accused maintains his position as investigations continue, many former students say the damage is already done.
“He stole our innocence and our trust,” one alumna, speaking anonymously, said in a phone interview. “But now we will fight until there’s justice—not just for us, but for the girls still in school.”
As the case unfolds, all eyes remain on the TSC, the Ministry of Education, and the criminal justice system to determine whether the teacher—and those who may have shielded him—will finally be held to account.